Kentucky Department Of Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Resigns

Kentucky Department Of Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Resigns

ABC 36 News learned that Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Jon Gassett resigned Thursday, citing "recent circumstances" that gave him no option but to tender his resignation.

Kentucky's Fish and Wildlife Commissioner resigned Thursday.

ABC 36 News obtained Jon Gassett's resignation letter.

Gassett wrote that his resignation was necessary because of "recent circumstances" that gave him no option other than to tender his resignation.

The letter did not say what those circumstances were.

Concerns had been raised about spending and personnel decisions at the agency. Those concerns led to investigations by the Office of Inspector General, Executive Branch Ethics Commission and a state legislative committee.

The Program Review and Investigations Committee recommended that the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Commission adopt bylaws regarding what items should be brought for its approval.

The separate reviews by the Office of Inspector General and Executive Branch Ethics Commission are reportedly ongoing.

Gassett has been Commissioner for eight years. He has been with the department for 14-years.

He said in his letter to Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Commission Chairman Stuart Ray that his resignation would go into effect on September 20, 2013.

According to Gassett's resignation letter, Deputy Commissioner Benjy Kinman agreed to step-in as acting Commissioner once Gassett leaves his post.